Aglaophenia pluma (Linnaeus, 1758)

Aglaophenia pluma

Description: This is a feather-like species which grows in clusters, often on the brown seaweed Halidrys siliquosa but also on rock surfaces in shallow water. The central stem bears alternating unbranched side branches with polyps all facing upwards. Each feeding polyp is surrounded by three defensive polyps. The reproductive polyps are enclosed in a basket-like corbula, which replaces a normal side branch. The colony is brown in colour. Typically 3-4 cm in height by 1 cm wide.

Habitat: Typically associated with the brown seaweed Halidrys siliquosa, but also found on rocks in exposed or very exposed conditions in shallow water, to about 10 metres. It is the only Aglaophenia likely to be found in rock pools or on the shore.